Hi Cal
Thanks for your reply to my question. I'm not sure what you mean by "a stack of three Leica adapters". (But I have ZERO experience with Visoflex stuff or Leica R lenses.) My preference is to keep things as simple as possible and see if I can un-screw the head of my Elmarit-M 135/2.8 and (hopefully) only have to buy one Visoflex focusing mount for it to use on the SL with M Mount adapter.
While I realize that the SL probably won't be able to replace my M9, I do plan to use it exclusively with manual focus 28mm to 135mm Leica M lenses until I can afford an M10 to compliment the SL. Then I may begin to slowly acquire an auto-focus lens or two for the SL. I am a little concerned about the body size, not so much by the weight. I have no plans to use any SLR lenses with the SL (a own 2-3 Pentax M42 Takumars in the 35 to 105mm range, that's it - and I don't want to acquire more stuff...)
I have a strong preference for wrist straps over shoulder straps - do you have a recommendation for a strong/secure wrist strap for the SL. I use Gordy leather straps on my M cameras, but if I understand correctly, the lugs on the SL require a different kind of strap.
Any advice is appreciated - THANKS.
S-H,
For me the SL made sense because I have Nikon and Leica SLR glass as well as M-glass. It made sense for me to have the SL T-mount to M-mount to use Leica M-mount wides. To use "R" glass I stack a "R" to "M" adapter on top of the "T" to "M" adapter. To utilize a Visoflex lens I have a Visoflex to "R" adapter, and to mate to the SL a Visoflex lens like your 135 head requires a focusing heliocoil and the set of three adapters: Viso to "R"; "R" to "M;" and lastly a "M" to "T."
The biggest advantage of the SL is to use SLR glass because of the close focus abilities. Also the SL is kinda sized ergonomically to feel like a SLR.
As for wrist straps go I offer no advice, but I utilize a Nikon AH-4 Handstrap baseplate so I can hang the SL vertically like a M5, which allows me better mobility and also offers better protection of the lens and body.
My SL with the 50 Lux-SL AF lens weighs 5 1/4 pounds not compact like a M10. The 50 Lux really nails the focus and is highly accurate. The latest firmware got rid of the porky slow AF, so don't believe the early reviews of prototype lenses with old firmware. It is no lie that this lens is big, but it is a performer.
Leica lent me a 24-90 zoom for NYC Fashion Week two years ago. This lens is really remarkable. The highly developed in lens image stabilization allowed me to get these what I call "Circus Shots." that were just playing around. I was shooting at 400 ISO but at night in NYC. I opened up the aperture and took these night shots at 1/8th, 1/12 and 1/20 second expecting blurry impressionist like images, but was surprise when I downloaded the files and viewed them on my EIZO. The IS system in this lens is like a gyro and the images were tack sharp. This is a crazy lens.
For me the big advantage is being able to utilize all my small format glass on the SL. Also the SL derived much of its performance and design from the Leica "S" medium format DSLR. Seems like the M10 adopted the processor and other things from the SL. I'm just saying the SL and M10 share a lot and it is pretty hard to justify both. In your case because you are not SLR centric the M10 might be a better camera for you. In my case the SL is the better camera.
Like I said, the SL really is not a M-body replacement, but a substitute for a DSLR that allows easy focusing of manual focus small format lenses.
Also if you need autofocus, then you need the SL. BTW it seems like the 35 Cron and 75 Cron that will be released will be a lot smaller than my 50 Lux. E67 filter size verses E82 on the 24-90 and 50 Lux. BTW the 50 Lux and 24-90 are almost the same weight and size, meaning heavy and huge.
Don't disregard the severe weatherproofing on the SL body and lenses. Not sure if this is of value to you. For me it is a big deal.
Cal